Idle-Free Initiative

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

car idlefree
Save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions this spring by turning your engine off if parked for more than 3 minutes during warm weather (between 0°C and 30°C). If you are using a drive-thru, picking-up someone from school or running a quick errand, turn off your engine. Idling for 10 seconds uses more fuel than turning off and restarting your engine. If every resident could reduce idling by 1 minute every day, in 1 year we could eliminate enough greenhouse gas emissions to fill 64 NHL-size hockey rinks!

Additional Steps

What more can you do to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Minimize the use of remote car starters during warm weather (between 0°C and 30°C).
  • Be more aware of the amount of time you idle.
  • Next winter use a block heater to warm up your engine.
  • Use other ways to get around such as walking or biking.
*Sources: National Resources Canada